This Greek Catholic cathedral, constructed in 1744-1761, is a remarkable example of Rococo architecture.
Located at the height of St. George Mount, the cathedral dominates the surrounding area, but doesn’t clash with the landscape. The main façade is set-off by a portal watched over by St. Athanasius and St. Leo (works by renowned sculptor Johann Georg Pinzel).
In the cathedral itself, there lies a crypt where celebrated figures of the Ukrainian church are entombed. A park is nestled behind the palace and features a distinctive bell tower, which houses a remarkable bell. Cast in 1341, it is the oldest bell in Ukraine.
The cathedral grounds are extremely calming and it’s hard to imagine that hard times once prevailed. Following the death of metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky in March 1946, Soviet authorities coerced church leaders to denounce Rome and join the Russian Orthodox Church.
Justice prevailed in 1989 as the Greek Catholic Church re-established itself and resumed operation of the cathedral. The last major event to take place at St. George happened 2001. While visiting Lviv, Pope John Paul II lived in the Metropolitan’s Palace.
